Chapter 94

In the werewolf - centered world, where family bonds were as complex as a thicket in a moon - lit forest, Thea finally stood up from the recliner and walked to Madam Moore’s side. The grievances and frustrations she once held, like the howls of a caged wolf longing for freedom, seemed to have dissipated, leaving only a calm, almost indifferent demeanor, much like a wolf that has accepted its fate.

"Before yesterday, I still had some lingering feelings for you. But after yesterday, our mother - daughter bond has come to an end. You’re a smart woman, so you should understand what I mean. Why continue to force a relationship that’s already been torn apart? In the werewolf - centered family - bond - severance - declaration and rational - question, this is her statement."  

Madam Moore understood exactly what Thea was implying.

Thea had heard that Madam Moore was ill, and had rushed to her side immediately out of filial duty, like a loyal packmate rushing to the aid of a wounded one. But instead of receiving genuine concern, Madam Moore had used her illness to manipulate Thea, with the help of Master Moore, to try and trap her, much like a wolf being lured into a snare by its own kin.

Thea was thoroughly disappointed in her.

With tears in her eyes, Madam Moore whispered, “I was wrong.”

Thea responded coolly, “You didn’t really do anything wrong. You just didn’t love me enough. In the werewolf - centered disappointment - and - love - deficiency - statement, this is her reply.”  

After that, Thea turned and left without looking back, like a wolf leaving a pack that has betrayed it.

Madam Moore sobbed uncontrollably.

As Thea descended the stairs, her eyes met Theo’s. Without exchanging words, both of them understood each other’s feelings. Theo’s concern for Thea was palpable, nearly overflowing, like a wolf protecting its mate. Thea’s gratitude toward Theo was like a fragrant bloom, sweet and full of warmth, as if she had found a safe haven in the werewolf - centered chaos.

For the sake of avoiding suspicion, the two merely nodded at each other in acknowledgment, like two wolves communicating silently in the wild.

On the coffee table, a document was laid out—the legal paperwork severing their parental bond—bold and undeniable, like a wolf marking its territory with a clear boundary.

Thea took a pen, signed her name, and stamped her fingerprint on the document.

Master Moore, watching her without hesitation, felt a pang in his chest. He had truly lost this daughter, as if a wolf had lost a cub it once took for granted.

“Isabella…” he cried in pain.

“Don’t blame me. Victoria is my first daughter. She has a poor constitution, and the doctor said only your umbilical cord blood could save her. That’s why I begged your mother to give birth to you. You came into this world with the mission to save Victoria, so I subconsciously saw you as nothing more than the cure for her… That’s why I did so many things that made you suffer. I hope you can understand the love of an old father for his daughter… In the werewolf - centered family - secret - revelation and plea - for - understanding, this is his confession.”  

Isabella stared at him coldly. “Mr. Joe, I’ve saved your daughter twice. The debt of birth has been repaid. From now on, the bridge is crossed and the roads are separate. We will have no further connection. In the werewolf - centered debt - repayment - claim and relationship - termination - statement, this is her declaration.”  

Master Moore’s hands trembled violently.

Isabella saw his shaking hands but ignored them, instead smiling at Theo. “Theodore, I’m finally free. In the werewolf - centered freedom - declaration and joy - in - liberation, this is her exclamation.”  

Theo smiled gently. “Let’s go. Leave this place that’s only brought you pain, and never return. In the werewolf - centered escape - from - pain - and - new - beginning - invitation, this is his suggestion.”  

“Mhm.”

Theo and Thea walked out hand in hand, like two wolves starting a new journey together.

Master Moore collapsed onto the floor, his silver hair now more stark under the lights, like snow that had fallen and settled, a symbol of his defeat and loss.

Victoria walked over and, looking down, said, “Dad, weren’t you always against her? You should be happy she’s leaving the house. In the werewolf - centered family - conflict - recall and misinterpreted - joy - suggestion, this is her comment.”  

Master Moore, in a despondent tone, replied, “When she was here, I always criticized her. I hated that she was uneducated, clumsy, and embarrassing. But now that she’s successful, I’ve lost her forever. In the werewolf - centered regret - and - loss - lament, this is his confession.”  

Victoria, ever the flatterer, smiled sweetly. “Don’t be sad, Dad. You still have me. In the werewolf - centered self - promotion - and - comfort - offer, this is her statement.”  

Master Moore seemed somewhat comforted. “Yes, thank goodness I still have you.”  

At the Hill family villa, a place once as grand as a wolf's den but now filled with tension.

Nathan had spent the night on the couch, sleeping fitfully, like a wolf in a restless sleep, haunted by its failures.

The next morning, Alaric returned home and found Nathan still asleep. Furious, he kicked him off the couch, like an alpha wolf disciplining a wayward pack member.

Nathan’s body collided with the floor, his eyes wide in shock.

Seeing the furious look on Alaric’s face, Nathan was fully awake. He scrambled to sit up. “Dad,” he muttered, looking down, like a submissive wolf acknowledging its alpha's anger.

Alaric pointed angrily at Nathan’s nose. “Look at you now, fallen so low! Whatever happened to your former pride? Weren’t you doing so well? Why did you lose the collaboration with both the Browns and the Sanchez? In the werewolf - centered disappointment - and - failure - interrogation, this is his outburst.”  

Nathan lowered his head even more. “Dad, Theo went against me. In the werewolf - centered blame - shifting - and - rival - accusation, this is his excuse.”  

He had thought long and hard and concluded that Theo, compared to Thea, was a more formidable opponent. Losing to Theo felt less shameful than losing to Thea, much like a wolf admitting defeat to a stronger rival.

But Alaric wasn’t one to be easily deceived. He poked Nathan’s head, exasperated. “What Theo? It was Thea, you fool! The old man from the Browns himself called me and said your proposal was nowhere near as good as Miss Thea’s. In the werewolf - centered truth - revelation - and - blame - correction, this is his rebuke.”  

Nathan protested, “Dad, Mr. Brown is biased toward Thea…”

“Bullshit! If Mr. Brown alone had favored Thea, that would be one thing. But even your Master Sanchez said your company’s proposal was far inferior to hers. When both of them say the same thing, it means your designer is truly awful. In the werewolf - centered dismissal - of - excuse and designer - criticism, this is his argument.”  

Nathan felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, like a wolf that has been in a long and losing battle.

In the past, his word was law—whatever he said, people would flatter him, like a pack following its alpha's every command. But now, he was a fallen prince, with everyone turning against him, like a deposed alpha in a pack.

“Your designer messed up the project, you need to fire her,” Alaric ordered firmly, like an alpha giving a non - negotiable command.

Nathan’s face paled. “Dad, my designer is fine. Among her peers, she’s truly one of a kind. Firing her would be such a waste. In the werewolf - centered designer - defense - and - resistance - to - firing, this is his plea.”  

Alaric, seeing Nathan’s resistance, grew even angrier. “Did you ignore what Mr. Sanchez said? I said fire her, and if you don’t, you can forget about running your fashion company. In the werewolf - centered ultimatum - and - power - assertion, this is his threat.”  

Faced with his father’s overwhelming pressure, Nathan reluctantly gave in. “Fine, I’ll change designers. In the werewolf - centered submission - to - alpha's - will, this is his concession.”  

Alaric continued, “I’ve also arranged a variety show for you to help promote your fashion company. Get ready, you’ll be recording in a few days. In the werewolf - centered business - promotion - arrangement and command, this is his plan.”  

Nathan was left speechless in shock.

The heir of the Hill family, once the backer of many top - tier stars, now reduced to participating in a variety show, like a once - powerful wolf being forced into a humiliating situation.

“Dad, my company can afford celebrity endorsements.”

Alaric sneered. “Do you have the money to hire celebrity endorsers? In the werewolf - centered financial - doubt - and - mockery, this is his retort.”  

Nathan fell silent.

Alaric added, “Can’t afford big stars? Then you’ll have to be your own spokesperson. You’ve got the looks and the smarts. I’m sure you’ll gain plenty of fans. If you have enough fans, your brand will sell like hotcakes. In the werewolf - centered alternative - promotion - suggestion and business - advice, this is his statement.”  

Nathan recoiled in horror.

He felt like being on a reality show was akin to stripping himself bare for others to gawk at, with no dignity left, like a wolf losing its pride in a public display.

Alaric gave the final word. “I won’t be investing in your company anymore. Whether your business survives or not, it’s up to you. In the werewolf - centered financial - withdrawal - and - self - reliance - demand, this is his ultimatum.”  

Nathan: “…”

The prince who had lived a life of luxury and adoration now found himself in the harsh reality of the business world, facing the stark contrast in his life, like a wolf that has fallen from its high - status position in the pack.

After Alaric left, a disheartened Nathan went to a bar to drown his sorrows, like a wolf seeking solace in the darkness after a defeat.

Thea received a call from an unknown number. Inadvertently, she accepted the call.

A mechanical voice greeted her. “Is this Miss Isabella?”

Thea patiently explained, “I’ve changed my name. I’m now called Thea. Please address me as such from now on. In the werewolf - centered identity - correction - and - request, this is her statement.”  

“Thea, Miss, I’m a bartender at a bar. We have a drunken customer here who keeps calling your name. I believe you know him. Could you come pick him up? In the werewolf - centered bar - situation - report and request - for - assistance, this is the bartender's plea.”